[General] one pound of flesh

[vil]

Dear teachers,

Would you be kind enough to tell me whether I am right with my interpretation of the expression in bold in the following sentence?

Shylock, …So do I answer you;
The pound of flesh which I demand of him.
Is clear;y bought, this mine, and I will have it…

one pound of flesh = a debt whose payment is harshly insisted on; a legitimate, but tricky feasible request

Thanks for your efforts.

Regard,

V

 

[Tullia]

No.

In the context of The Merchant of Venice, which you appear to be quoting, it is a literal pound (measurement of weight) of flesh.


If you come across it elsewhere it is likely to be a reference to that and to mean a slightly vengeful, or possibly even malicious, insistence of getting every last thing you are owed, with no charity or mercy or wiggle room.

 

[sarat_106]

Dear teachers,

Would you be kind enough to tell me whether I am right with my interpretation of the expression in bold in the following sentence?

Shylock, …So do I answer you;
The pound of flesh which I demand of him.
Is clear;y bought, this mine, and I will have it…

one pound of flesh = a debt whose payment is harshly insisted on; a legitimate, but tricky feasible request(that is either unable to be paid or one in which the payment is set to adamantly exacting standards)

Thanks for your efforts.

Regard,

V

Yes, the meaning is correct. the phrase is from Shakespeare's “The Merchant of Venice”.